Moorestown Gives Final Approval To Outdoor Dining Plan

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council gave final approval to a proposed ordinance to expand outdoor dining in the township Monday night. Outdoor dining was already permitted under a resolution council passed in June, but Township Manager Tom Merchel previously said the township would be in a better position if the legislation also took the form of an ordinance.

Council approved the proposal that allows restaurants to expand their footprint to allow outdoor dining amid the coronavirus pandemic with a 5-0 vote in front of about 10 community members in the first in-person council meeting held since before the pandemic began in March. The meeting was also held via teleconference.

Restaurants and bars shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. They were permitted to reopen for outdoor dining as of June 6. Gov. Phil Murphy previously said restaurants would be able to reopen for indoor dining in early July, but delayed that due to spikes in cases in other states and scenes at the Jersey Shore and elsewhere, where people have been congregating in close proximity.

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He later said businesses could open up their indoor spaces if they can expose parts of their buildings — or "wallspace" — to the outside, and if they have an overhang. Read more here: Gov. Murphy To Allow Expanded Reopening Of NJ Dining

In New Jersey, there are now 175,522 coronavirus cases and 13,613 confirmed deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Moorestown has 330 cases and 59 confirmed deaths, while Burlington County has 5,610 cases, 422 confirmed deaths and 48 possible deaths.

Moorestown approved the resolution for expanded outdoor dining last month, while introducing the proposed ordinance. Read more here: Moorestown Moves On Approval For Outdoor Dining

The Planning Board then found the plan to be consistent with the master plan, paving the way for Monday night’s vote. Read more here: Planning Board Approves Of Moorestown Outdoor Dining Plan

In Moorestown, any restaurant that wants to expand its footprint will have to apply for a permit. In their plan, they must spell out how they will do it and how they will do it safely, complying with social distancing guidelines and safety measures set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

They must also show how they will keep customers safe from vehicular traffic, as well as where trash cans will be located, what lighting will be used and what constructs will be used to expand outdoor seating.

Restaurants will have to get permission from neighboring businesses, including from owners and tenants where applicable, to expand their footprint.

The township has the right to revoke a permit at its sole discretion for that reason and any other number of unforeseen circumstances.

If a restaurant owner changes anything about the setup once their plan is approved, their permit would have to go back before the township for further evaluation. The township can't be held liable for any incidents that take place in these expanded areas.

Road closures are not included in the proposed ordinance. No establishment has expressed a desire to put seating in the road, and establishments at the mall can't go into the drive lane, Merchel said.

The township has no intention to close roads at this time, but if the need arises down the road, that could be done through a separate resolution, Merchel said.

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.